Go-cart or perambulator.



A. J. ADAMS. GO-'CART 0R PERAMBULATOR. APPLIGATION FILD MAR. 2, 1910.

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GO-GART 0R PERAMBULATOR. l APPLICATION FILED MAB. 2, 1910.

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A. J. ADAMS..

GO-CART 0R PERAMBULATOR.

APPLIoATIoN FILED MAR. 2, 1910.

1,094,045. Patented Apr. 21, 1914.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR J'. ADAMS, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO WILLIAM S. FERRIS, OF ELKI-IART, INDIANA, ANI) ALEXANDER B. LEITI-I, OF

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, TRUSTEES.

GO-CART 0R PERAMBULATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 21, 1914.

To all l1/omit may concern Be it known that I, ARTHUR J. ADAMS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Gro-Carts or Perambulators, of which the following is a specication.

My invention relates particularly to folding perambulators, go-carts or baby carriages; and my primary object is to provide a structure of improved construction and operation, my invention having special relation to improved means whereby the perambulator may be either collapsed or opened in a single operation and securely braced and locked in the extended or uncollapsed position.

My invention is illustrated in its preferred embodiment in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 represents a side elevational view of a go-cart or perambulator constructed in accordance with my invention; Fig. 2, a broken sectional view taken as indicated at line 2 of Fig. 1 and disclosing the means for automatically folding and unfolding the wheel-forks, or wheel-supports; Fig. 3, a side elevational view showing the structure in a partially collapsed condition; Fig. 4, a broken sectional view taken as indicated at line 4 of Fig. 3; Fig. 5, a plan section taken as indicated at line 5 of Fig. 3; Fig. 6, a broken side elevational view showing the structure still more collapsed than in Fig. 3; Fig. 7 a sectional view taken as indicated at line 7 of Fig. 6 and illustrating, in connection with Fig. 6, the manner in which one pair of the wheel-forks is caused to told in close relation with the runninggear trame in advance of the other pair of wheel-forks; and Fig. 8, a broken perspective view showing a detail of the link mechanism which connects opposite pairs of wheel-forks.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, which is that illustrated, A represents a running-gear frame; B, B pairs of wheels located at opposite sides of the running-gear trame; C, a handle foldably connected with the rear portion of the running-gear frame; D, arms pivotally connected with the handle-bars; D, links pivotally connected with the front ends of the arms D and with the running-gear frame; E, a U-shaped locking-member'having its arms pivotally connected with the links D; F, a seat, which, in the illustration given, is spring-supported on the running-gear frame; F, a back ieXibly connected with the rear portion of the seat and having link and guide connections F2 with the arms D; Gr, a carriage-top (shown in dotted lines) mounted on the arms D; H, an adjustable foot-rest; and I, wheel-fork folding and eX- tending mechanism.

The running-gear frame may be of any approved construction. In the form shown, it comprises a U-shaped steel bar whose rearwardly turned arms afford side-bars 1 and whose web affords a front cross-member 2; and cross-bars 3 rigidly connecting the side-bars 1 at the junctions of the wheelfork brackets. The side-bars 1 are curved ,upwardly at their front end portions, so

that the front cross-member 2 occupies a plane somewhat above the plane of the main portion of the running-gear frame.

Secured to the side-bars 1 and the crossbars 3 are wheel-fork brackets 4 with which are connected by means of pivots 5, the wheel-forks, or wheel-supports, 6. The forks 6 at each side of the structure are connected together by a longitudinal bar 7, so that the pair of wheels at each side of the structure is adapted to fold as a unit beneath the running-gear frame.

The handle C comprises handle-bars 8 whose lower ends are connected by pivots 9 with the rear ends of the side-bars 1, and whose upper ends are connected by a crossround 10.

The rear ends of the arms D are connected by pivots 11 with the handle-bars 8 some distance above the pivots 9, and the front ends of the arms D are connected by pivots 12 to the upper ends of the links D. The lower ends of the links D are rigidly secured to the curved members 13 which 'are connected by pivots 14 with the side-bars of the running-gear frame at the junction of the front wheel-bracket 4. It will be understood that the handle-bars, `arms D and links D are adapted to fold upon the running-gear frame by a parallel-link movement. The space above the seat is flanked by flexible side-pieces, or iiaps, 15 whose upper edge portions are secured to the front portions of the arms D and whose front edge portions are secured to the links D. The lower edge portions of the iiaps project beneath the seat which they embrace and are connected by a cross-member 1G which is adapted to move freely beneath the seat in the operation of folding the structure.

The locking-member 15, as stated, is of U- form, comprising a web, or cross-member, 17 and rearwardly extending arms 18 which are connected by pivots 19 with the lower portions ot the links D. The arms 1S extend through guides 2O applied to the inner surfaces of the front portions oi' the side-bars 1 of the running-gear frame, and said arms, or bars, 18 are provided at their lower edges with locking-notches 21 which are adapted to engage locking-studs 22 with which the guides 20 are equipped at their lower ends. The upper ends of the guides 2O are equipped with coil-springs and followers beneath which the arms, or bars, 1S pass, said springs being shown in dotted lines and designated 23. The springs tend to force the notches 21 into secure engagement with the lockingstuds 22 when the structure is in the position shown in Fig. 1. The cross-member 17 ot the locking-device E is disposed normally slightly belo-w the front cross-member 2 of the running-gear trame, so that both members may be grasped by one hand in *eifecting a release.

The seat F is shown mounted on leafsprings 24 which have downturned front ends secured by rivets 25 to the intermediate cross-bar 8, as shown in Fig. 4. The back F is joined, by liexible connection 26, to the the rear portion of the seat. portion of the back is equipped with guides 27 which receive the web portion 28 of a U- shaped link whose arms 29 have hooked portions 30 which pivotally engage perforations with which the arms D are provided near the pivots 11. The mechanism F2 enables the back to be dropped to a reclining position, and also serves to automatically fold the back forwardly upon the seat in the operation of collapsing the go-cart.

The carriage-top G need no-t be described in detail. It is suilicient to state that itis a collapsible top adapted to pass between the handle-bars.

lThe foot-support H comprises a U-shaped frame 31 which may consist of a bent rod; and a pouch, or boot, 82. The details need not be fully explained, inasmuch as the footrest forms no po-rtion of the present invention. 1t may be stated, however, that the arms 33 of the foot-rest frame are pivotally connected, by eyes 34, with the intermediate cross-bar 3, shown in Fig. 4; and a Llshaped brace-member 35 is employed to support the toot-rest in the raised position, when desired. The brace 35 comprises a crossrllhe upper.

member, or web, 3G pivotally joined, by eyes 37, to the cross-bar 17 of the lo .l ii1g-device E; and arms 38 which arc slidably connected, at 39, with the arms 33 ot the foot-support frame.

The wheel-fork actuating and bracing means I preferably comprises a U-shaped member 4() having a cross-member, or web, 41 and upturned arms 42 which are rigidly connected at their upper end portions by rivets 43, to the links D; link-nlechanism 44 connected with the cross-mcn'lber 41 oit the U-shaped lever 40 and connected with the opposite pairs of wheel-forks; and cams Al5 and 4G secured to the intermediate portions oit the longitudinal bars 7 which connect the front and rear wheel-forks in pairs, said cams being disposed at the inner sides oi the bars 7 and adapted, to be engaged by the U- shaped lever 40. lt will be noted thatI the U-shaped lever 40 atlords virtually a do-wnward extension of the links D', the arms il-2 passing inside the side-bars 1 ot the running-gear frame and the web, or cross-bar, 41 being disposed approximately at the plane of the longitudinal connecting members 7 of the wheel-forks when the structure is in the extended position.

The link-mechanism 44, in the torni illustrated, comprises a pair of links 47 which have their outer cnds pivotally connected or linked to the opposite pairs ot wheel-forks and their inner ends joined by a vertical pivot 4S; and a longitudinally disposed reach, or link, 49 whose rear end is joined to the pivot 48and whose lront end is joined, by a horizontal pivot 50, to a clip 51 rigidly carried by the intermediate portion of the cross-bar 41. As shown in Fig. S, each bar 7 projects in the rear of the rear wheel-fork G and has secured thereto a right-angular clip 52 whose inwardly projecting arm 53 is connected, by a longitudinal pivot -l, to one arm of an angular link 55, whose other arm is connected, by a vertical pivot 5G, to the outer end portion ot the corresponding link 47. The extremity ol each link 47 projects beyond the pivot 56, as indicated at 57, and bears against the inner surface ot an upward projection, or ear, 58 with which the longitudinal flange, or arm, 59 ot the clip, or bracket, 52 is provided. It will now be understood that when the links 47 are swung rearwardly in the collapsing operation, as shown in Fig. 5, they swing about the vertical pivots 56, while the short angular linksl 55 swing about the horizontal pivots 54. rlhe operation, in this respect, is similar to the operation of the construction shown in my Patent No. 913,345, granted February 2?), 1909; and the manner in which the link-extensions 57 impinge against the upward extensions 58 of the clips 52 to brace the wheelforks in an extended position, is similar to the action which occurs in the mechanism shown in the patent mentioned, to Fig. 2 of shown in Fig. 1. rIhe cam 46 comprises a r shank 63 secured to the inner side of the corresponding bar 7, and furcations, or tines, 64 and 65, the latter of which is offset inwardly with relation to the former. The fork 61 of the cam 45 is longer than are the forks 64 and 65. The end portions of the cross-member 41 of the U-shaped lever 40 are adapted to engage the cams carried by the opposite pairs of wheel-forks and thereby complete the inward folding of the wheelforks, one after the other, after the linkmechanism 44 has been flexed and effected the initial inward movement of the wheelforks during the first portion of the operation of folding the structure. In the final portion of the collapsing` operation, the cross-member 41 first engages the fork 61 and causes the wheels B to be folded in advance of the wheel B, and the other end portion of the cross-member 41 then engages the fork 65 and causes the wheels B to fol-- low the wheels B in the completion of the folding operation. In the reverse operation, one end portion of the cross-member 41 engages the fork 64 and causes the Wheels B to swing outwardly, and the other end portion of the cross-member 41 then engages the bar 7, which is separated from the fork 61 by the space 66, thereby beginning the unfolding operation of the wheels B. After the forks have been swung outwardly approximately to the position shown in Fig. 5, the link-mechanism 44 becomes effective to complete the unfolding operation of the wheels. In this final movement, the U- shaped lever 40 is forced between the frontwheel-forks 6, or into engagement with bearings 67 at the front ends of the bars 7, so that the front wheel-forks will be effectively braced with relation to each other, being forced outwardly rmly against the internal shoulders 68 of the wheel-fork brackets 4. When the unfolding operation is complete, the locking-notches 21 of the locking-device E engage the studs 22, and the structure is securely locked in the open position.

The operation may be briefly restated. Assuming the structure to be in the extended position, it may be collapsed by grasping the handle-round 10 with one hand and the front cross-member 2 of the running-gear frame and the web portion 17 of the locking-device E with the other hand, closing the last-named hand to effect release of the locking-device E, and bringing the hands toward each other to collapse the carriage.

In this operation, the handle and ruiminggear frame swing toward each other and the upper ends of the links D swing forwardly, while the arms D approach the ru-nninggear frame by parallel movement. As the links D swing forwardly, the U-shaped lever 40 rigidly attached thereto swings rearwardly, thereby operating through the medium of the reach 49, to flex the links 47 with relation to each other and swing the wheel-forks inwardly on their pivots 5. In the continuation of the collapsing movement, one end of the cross-member 41 engages the fork 61 of the cam 45 and causes the wheels B to move inwardly in advance of the wheels B', the opposite end portion of the cross-member 41 thereafter engaging the fork 65 of the cam 46 and completing the inward folding of the wheels B. In the reverse operation, one end portion of the cross-member 41 engages the fork 64 of the cam 46 and causes the wheels B to unfold initially in advance of the wheels B, and thereafter the other end portion of the crossmember 41 engages the bar 7 and causes the initial unfolding movement of the wheels B to occur. In the further forward movement of the cross-member 41, the reach 49 operates to bring the links 47 into alinement with each other and force the pairs of wheelforks apart, and at the completion of the movement the U-shaped lever, or downward extension, of the links D1, is forced or wedged between the front wheel-forks, thereby securely bracing them.

In my above mentioned Patent No. 913,345, there are shown front and rear pairs of links connecting the opposite pairs of wheel-forks, said links being foldable in pairs. In the present construction, I have replaced the front pair of links with the U-shaped member 40 and provided for automatio` actuation of the link-mechanism connecting the opposite pairs of wheel-forks. I desire it understood, however, that any suitable link-mechanism connecting the pairs of wheel-forks may be employed.

'Ihe foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no undue limitation is to be understood therefrom, but the appended claims are to be construed as broadly as permissible in view of the prior art.

What I regard as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. In a folding carriage, the combination of a running-gear frame, a handle pivotally connected with the rear portion thereof, inwardly swinging front and rear wheelforks connected in pairs with the opposite sides of said running-gear frame, links pivotally connected with each other and joining the pairs of wheel-forks near the rear wheel-forks, said links adapted to swing in a plane substantially parallel with the running-gear frame, arms pivotally connected with the handle-bars, links pivot-ally connected with said arms and with the ruiminggear frame, a U-shaped member secured to said last-named links and extending downwardly through the front portion of the running-gear frame, and a link connected with the cross-member of said 'U-shaped memberand connected at its rear end with said first-named links, for the purpose set forth.

2. In a folding carriage, the combination of a running-gear frame, a handle pivotally connected with the rear portion thereof, inwardly swinging front and rear wheelforks connected in pairs with the opposite sides of said running-gear frame, cams earried by said wheel-forks and having free front ends, links pivotally connected with each other and joining the pairs of wheelforks near the rear wheel-forks, arms pivotally connected with the handle-bars, links pivotally connected with the front ends of said arms and pivotally connected with the running-gear frame, said last-named links having downward extensions thiough the running-gear frame with a cross-member connecting them, and a lilik connecting said cross member with said first-named links, for the purpose set forth.

3. In a folding carriage, the combination of a running-gear frame, a handle pivotally connected with the rear end thereof and adapt-ed to fold forwardly on the runninggear frame, arms pivotally connected with the handle, links pivotally connected with the front ends of said arms and with the running-gear frame, lever-arms depending from and actuated by said links, wheelforks connected with the opposite sides 0f the ruiming-gear frame and adapted to fold inwardly and upwardly beneath the running-gear frame, link mechanism connecting` said wheel-forks, and a reach-link connected with said link mechanism and actuated by said level' arms.

4. In a folding carriage. the combination of a running-gear frame, a handle pivotally connected with the rear portion thereof, arms pivotally connected with intermediate portions of the handle-bars, links pivotally connected'with said arms and with the running-gear frame, a U-shaped lever secured to said links, wheel-forks connected with the opposite sides of the running-gear frame and adapted to fold inwardly and upwardly beneath the running-gear frame, link mechanism connected with said wheel-forks, and a reach-link connecting said link mechanism to said U-shaped lever.

ln a. folding carriage, the combination of a running-gear frame, a handle foldable with relation thereto` wheel-forks foldable inwardly and upwardly with relation to the running-gear frame, link mechanism connecting said wheel-forks, cams carried by said wheel-forks, and actuating means for said link mechanism and cams adapted to be actuated in the operations of folding and unfolding the handle and ruiming-gear frame with relation to each other, said actuating mechanism operative to first flex said link mechanism and then complete the forkfolding operation through the medium of said cams.

G. 1n a folding` carriage, the combination of a running-gear frame, a handle pivotally connected with the rear portion thereof, inwardly swinging front and rear wheel-forks connected in pairs with the opposite sides of said runninggear frame, horizontallyswinging links pivotally connected with each other and joining the pairs of wheel-forks near the rear wheel-forks, arms pivotally joined to the handle-bars, links pivotally connected with the front ends of said arms and with the running-gear frame, a lever connected with said last-named links, and a reach-link actuated by said lever and serving to actuate said first-named links.

7. In a folding carriage, the combination of a running-gear frame, a handle pivotally connected to the rear portion thereof, a front wheel-fork and a rear wheel-fork pivotally connected with each side of the running-gear frame, a bar connecting the wheelforks at each .side of the carriage in a pair, cams larried by said bars and having free front extremities, arms pivotally connected with the handle-bars, links pivotally connected with said arms and with the runninggear frame, and a U-shaped member secured to said links and extending downwardly through the running-gear frame and adapted to engage with said cams and actuate said wheel-forks.

e. ln a folding carriage, the combination of a running-gear frame, a handle pivotally connected to the rear portion thereof, a front wheel-fork and ay rear wheel-fork pivotally connected with each side of the running-gear frame, a bar connecting the wheel-forks at each side of the carriage'in ay pair, link mechanism connecting said wheel-forks near the rear pair thereof, cams eariicd by said bars, arms pivotally connected with the handle bars, links pivotally connected with said arms and with the running-gear frame, a U-shaped member secured to said links and extending downwardly through the running-gear frame and adapted to actuate said wheel-forks through the medium of said cams, and conmxftions between said U-shaped member and said link mechanism.

9. In a structure of the character set forth. the combination of a running-gear frame, wheel-forks connected with opposite sides thereof to swing inwardly in pairs, cams carried by said wheel-forks, link mechauism connecting said wheel-forks, and a lever adapted to flex said link mechanism and thereafter engage said cams in the folding operation.

l0. In a structure of the character set forth, the combination of a running-gear frame, a handle pivotally connected therewith, arms pivotally connected with the handle-bars, links pivotally connected with said arms and with the running-gear frame, said links having downward extensions through the running-gear frame with a cross-member connecting them, wheel-supports pivotallT connected with the runninggear frame, link mechanism connecting said wheel-supports, cams carried by the wheelsupports, and connecting means between the cross-member of said downward extensions and said link mechanism.

11. In a structure of the character set forth, the combination of a running-gear frame, a handle pivotally connected therewith, arms pivotally connected with said handle, links pivotally connected with 4said arms and with said running-gear frame, downward extensions carried by said links, a cross-member joining said extensions, wheel-forks pivotally connected with the running-gear frame, horizontally-swinging links connecting` said wheel-forks, cams carried by said wheel-forks and adapted to be engaged by the crosswmember of said eXtensions, and a link connecting said cross member to said horizontally-swinging links.

ARTHUR J. ADAMS.

In presence of- R. A. SCi-nutren, J. Gr. ANDERSON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ive cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

